It’s a trip "Down Under" for Christina, 10, Grant, 7, and their mystery-writing grandmother Mimi! Lots of surprises and mysterious activities unfold as the group travels through the Outback, Queensland, and finally to the Great Barrier Reef. During a glass-bottom boat ride, they discover more than coral and fish under the water–scuba divers and flesh-tearing moray eel lurk beneath their boat! They shudder at the eerie screech of the Tasmanian devil and brave the awesome Australian Outback (and Aborigines!) at night. Watch and wonder as Grant ends up in the Camel Cup camel race – will he make it to the finish line? Don’t miss a moment of excitement in Christina and Grant’s Australian adventure!
LOOK what's in this mystery - people, places, history, and more! <br />Places: Alice Springs • Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park • Uluru, or Ayers Rock • Kata Tjuta, or The Olgas • The Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Queensland • Sydney Opera House • Woolloomooloo, Sydney, Australia • Sails in the Desert Hotel in the Yulara Resort • Sydney Harbor Bridge
Educational Items: Australian vocabulary • Legend of the Loch Ness Monster • Australia’s geography during the Jurassic Period • History of the Australian Aboriginal people • History of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) • The Great Barrier Reef; Definition of a reef; How the Great Barrier Reef formed; Sea life in the Reef\Geography of the Reef • Equipment used in and description of experience of scuba diving • Differences between America and Australia (e.g. seasons are opposite) • Animals’ use of camouflage • Aboriginal music and instruments • Use of camels in the Outback • Quick facts about Australia including its size, native plant life, geography, etc. • History of Sydney • Australian animal life
Like all of Carole Marsh Mysteries, this mystery incorporates history, geography, culture and cliffhanger chapters that will keep kids begging for more! This mystery includes SAT words, educational facts, fun and humor, built-in book club and activities.
Below is the Reading Levels Guide for this book:
Grade Levels: 3-6
Accelerated Reader Reading Level: 5.0
Accelerated Reader Points: 2
Accelerated Reader Quiz Number: 111601
Lexile Measure: 740
Fountas & Pinnell Guided Reading Level: Q
Developmental Assessment Level: 40
